Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard has emerged as one the world's best players since swapping Lille for west London back in 2012, and it's getting to the point now where rumours are intensifying about his future.

The silky Belgian transferred to the Blues for a fee of £32m, which he has gone on to prove an utter snip, and will arguably go on to compete for Ballons d'Or once the world's best in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are out of the picture.

Lately, #Chelsea fans have had to read stories surrounding Hazard's future at the club, with Spanish heavyweights #Real Madrid reportedly waiting in the wings to sign him as a replacement for Ronaldo.

Here are a number of reasons why the player could be in line to make the move.

1. It's the natural 'next step' for any professional footballer

Hazard is at a big club right now - there's no doubt about that. But Chelsea is dwarfed by Real Madrid, and for most youngsters hoping to make it in the game, Los Blancos are the dream team to play for. Madrid is the pinnacle, and if Hazard wants to establish himself as the world's best, he needs to be performing at the top of his game for the world's biggest club.

Even in recent times, Real Madrid has been a dominant force. Last season they completed the Champions League and La Liga double and even though they are struggling domestically at the moment, are still a top team full of incredible players.

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2. Those that came before him

Hazard is a player of sublime ability and there's no question he is good enough to play in that amazing team and should he make the move, he'd be following in the footsteps of some true greats.

The winger cites current Madrid chief Zinedine Zidane as one of his idols, and the Frenchman is one of many superstars to have played for the club. Raul, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are just some other stellar names to have pulled on the famous jersey, and Hazard might want to be part of that club.

3. Madrid's got to be nicer than London

Not only is Real Madrid the biggest club in the world, but their location is certainly an added bonus. Sunny Spain and playing in front of 80,000 people at the Bernabeu has to be better than turning out in the rain in front of a crowd half the size in London.

It may not seem like too much of a big deal, but subconsciously there has to be some added attraction to the idea of the player.

Eden Hazard: “When I was at Lille, people started saying PSG, I stayed at #Lille.Chelsea every year I am mentioned with #PSG and Real Madrid

4. The Cristiano Ronaldo/Gareth Bale mantra

Reports have been plentiful since the summer that both Ronaldo and Bale may not be sticking around at the Bernabeu for too much longer. The former is supposedly irritated by Madrid's transfer policy and was not satisfied with the club's activity during the summer just gone and now the club is a whopping 10 points behind Barcelona, who supposedly had a poor previous transfer window in terms of recruitment and losing Neymar. The Portugal captain has been reported to have had fallings out with senior players in the dressing room, too.

🇦🇷 Messi?🇵🇹 Ronaldo?

Nope.

Hazard is proving to be the MVP in the Champions League this season. Not getting the credit he deserves? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/fAOOi3EU2R

Bale has spent almost 60% of his time on the treatment table at the Bernabeu since his move from Tottenham in 2013, and Florentino Perez and Zidane have grown increasingly frustrated with the Welshman. That all said, it could be high time for Hazard to come in and take over from one, if not both players.

5. Chelsea could bleed Madrid dry

The Blues have shown a great deal of savviness in the transfer market down the years and are no stranger to a big sale, which is why Hazard could be on his way if the right offer comes in.

The club sold Nemanja Matic for £40m, Juan Cuadrado for £17m, Oscar for £52m, Ramires of £25m, David Luiz for £50m, Andre Schurrle for £22m and Juan Mata for £37m. They just seem to have this impressive knack of getting more than what the player is probably worth, and would fancy their chances of milking Real for all they're worth if a situation arises where Hazard wants out - the market certainly dictates that as a likely eventuality.

6. The Zidane factor

Hazard has confessed his undying love and admiration for the man and you have to wonder how much longer he will want to remain at Stamford Bridge while Zidane is at the helm at the Bernabeu.

Zidane is an individual of immense stature in the game for his achievements as a player, but he has now established himself as a managerial success, and Hazard's spectacles are very much of the rose-tinted variety.

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